Kidney Res Clin Pract.  2017 Sep;36(3):264-273. 10.23876/j.krcp.2017.36.3.264.

The effects of different physical activities on atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease

• Kiuchi MG
• Chen S
• Hoye NA

• KMID: 2416096
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.23876/j.krcp.2017.36.3.264

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is highly common, and is most frequently observed in individuals with hypertension and structural cardiac disease. Sympathetic hyperactivity plays a fundamental role in the progression, maintenance and aggravation of arrhythmia. Endurance exercise training clearly lowers sympathetic activity in sympathoexcitatory disease states, and is well-tolerated by patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
METHODS
We assessed 50 CKD patients with hypertension. Each patient provided a complete medical history and underwent a physical examination. We used an implantable cardiac monitor over a 3-year follow-up period to evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate exercise (ModEx) physical activity protocols on AF occurrence, and determined the effectiveness of these protocols in improving renal function. Subjects were followed up every 6 months after the beginning of the intervention.
RESULTS
During the 3-year follow-up, AF onset was higher in CKD patients who engaged in HIIT (72%) than in those who engaged in ModEx (24%) (hazard ratio, 3.847; 95% confidence interval, 1.694-8.740, P = 0.0013 by log-rank test). Both groups exhibited significant intra-group changes in the mean systolic 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) between baseline and 12, 24, and 36 months. There were also significant differences in the mean systolic 24-hour ABPM between the groups at the same time points.
CONCLUSION
In CKD patients with hypertension, improvements in AF onset, renal function and some echocardiographic parameters were more evident in subjects who engaged in ModEx than in those who engaged in HIIT during 3 years of follow-up.

Keyword

Atrial fibrillation; Chronic kidney disease; Exercise; Hypertension; Sympathetic hyperactivity

MeSH Terms

Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Atrial Fibrillation*
Blood Pressure
Echocardiography
Follow-Up Studies
Heart Diseases
Humans
Hypertension*
Motor Activity*
Physical Examination
Renal Insufficiency, Chronic*